Rwanda U20 men’s national handball team on Friday left for Brazaville ahead of the 2023 IHF continental Phase Africa tourney slated for January 16-20. Rwanda is of six junior (U20) countries that will not only fight for the title, but the winners will also qualify for the Intercontinental Phase of the Men's IHF Trophy, which will take place in Costa Rica in March. Other participating countries include host nation Congo, Guinea, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe. A14-man team coached by Antoine Ntabanganyimana, has been in residential camp for intensive preparations at centre d’Acceuil Sainte Scholastique de Sovu in Huye District since January 4. Assisted by Sylvestre Mudaharishema, Ntabanganyimana said that “the team is ready to represent the country well and make Rwandans proud. They will compete for the best place and the best place is to win the title.” Generally, he said, the players were given training to increase their energy, game tactics, how to win and protect their defense. “I hope it will help them perform well,” he said. Besides the U20s Junior competition in which Rwanda will participate, Brazzaville will also host the U18 Youth competitions which will bring together six nations namely Burundi, Congo, Guinea, Nigeria and Zambia. Both competition will be held in a round-robin format, so each team will play four matches at the youth competition and five matches at the junior event. Notably, the nations of Congo, Guinea and Nigeria will be represented in both tournaments. All the matches will be held at Gymnase Nicole OBA in Brazzaville. Full Squad: Dominique Nsabimana, Arsene Uwayezu, Fred Nshimyumuremyi, Jean D’Amour Byiringiro, Samuel Mbesutunguwe, Emmanuel Iragena, Emmanuel Kubwimana, Elysee Muhumure, Samuel Mugabo, Thierry Hakizimana, Etienne Ndayisabye, Andre Akayezu, Yves Kayijamahe and Donath Nshimyumukiza.
